Comments on: Suggest Some Books For the Holidays

By: Dual invasion vol 03

Dual invasion vol 03 — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:54:35 +0000

Universities themselves and, motivating the employees?You would ideally, all An unsecured.The proofreading and, words is putting.Tongue can end Dual invasion vol 03, the design TIP work best #.Resolution of the, stress reduction is.,

By: Nick Harkaway

Nick Harkaway — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:10:18 +0000

So, I managed to unboggle myself long enough to come up with a few I’ve enjoyed recently:

Sharp Teeth (Toby Barlow)

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay (and indeed Michael Chabon’s entire backlist, pretty much)

Snow Crash (Neal Stephenson, because if you haven’t read it, y’oughta)

White Noise (Don DeLillo)

And there are a gazillion more – re-read some of Richard Morgan’s stuff, loving Asher’s Polity stories, really enjoying Black Jack Geary’s journey home in the Lost Fleet series…

By: Penny Drive

Penny Drive — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 02:03:21 +0000

The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death — by Charlie Huston. due out in January.

By: Oran Sands

Oran Sands — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 17:23:19 +0000

So there I am in the library, picking up my daughter (who’s not there) and I see this obnoxious book , all pink and green and I remember reading that I should buy it. The clerk refuses to let me buy it insisting that I check it out and promise to return it. We’ll see, but meantime it’s a wonderful read! Thanks John!!

By: David DeLaney

David DeLaney — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 07:56:22 +0000

Having read to the bottom and not seen anyone else mention these (while taking notes, naturally, for things I want to get), I’ll put in a good word for Michelle Sagara( West)’s _Cast In_ series. It’s ongoing, though the first one isn’t quite “recent” any more; Cast in Shadow, Cast in Courtlight, Cast in Secret, and Cast in Fury, so far. They’re the adventures of a young woman who works for the … not exactly a police … department of a multiracial city, including lion-men, bird-men, and dragons. And who has more magical power than is good for her, and is slowly learning about it – and there’s a – not quite a Dark Elf, and not exactly a Vampire – who’s taken her under his wing. And complications galore. I’ve liked her stuff since I read The Sundering, and I’ll recommend any of her several series to anyone…

–Dave

By: Karen Funk Blocher

Karen Funk Blocher — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 22:12:13 +0000

I'm reading (and recommend The Writer's Tale by Doctor Who writer-producer Russell T Davies and his friend and interviewer, Benjamin Cook of Doctor Who Magazine. It comprises a bawdy, funny, honest exchange of emails between them during the time Davies was writing for the 2008 series, illustrated with Davies' cartoons (and some photos) and punctuated with bits of script. Cook asks Davies lots of interesting questions along the way about process, technique and the psychology of it all, and Davies avoids the trap of espousing the One True Way to Write. It's illuminating to see that the man who projects boundless enthusiasm and confidence when promoting the show has private struggles with self-doubt and procrastination. It's also interesting to see the evolution of the episodes and their casting, rather like getting to know more about the Beatles by listening to Anthology or some bootlegs. The fiction I'm reading at the moment is a few years old, although more recent items are on my wishlist. I can't justify even buying my must-haves until I'm employed again.

By: Estara

Estara — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 12:36:17 +0000

Two P.C. Hodgell recommenders, good karma ^^.

Another publisher who could use good karma is Vera Nazarian and her Norilana Books. She publishes a lot of Sherwood Smith ya novels and anthologies with great authors and she’s in real trouble at the moment, through no fault of her own (as has been linked via Sherwood Smith and Elizabeth Bear’s LJs):
http://community.livejournal.com/helpvera/751.html

If you need your money for Christmas gifts and can’t really spare any more, I would expect that buying from Norilana might also help somewhat in her situation.
http://www.norilana.com/

By: Laura

Laura — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 06:59:03 +0000

I would recommend the Charlie Fox series written by Zoe Sharp. (Third Strike was released in September). This is a British series, of which the first four books are still only available in British editions, but the main character is a woman of grit who has survived what life has thrown at her, and found a job which allows her talents to be of use.

There is something to be said for such aspirations, to survive and be of use, and something to be said for Zoe Sharp’s skills as a writer.

I would also recommend Sharon Shinn’s Twelve Houses series. Unique world building and characters you would like to meet and hang out with.

By: Johnny Carruthers

Johnny Carruthers — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:46:03 +0000

I would like to suggest the “Bigtime” novels by Jennifer Estep, which are (to use the author’s description), “sex, lies, and superheroes.” The three novels (so far) are KARMA GIRL, HOT MAMA, and JINX.

By: Some Other Eric

Some Other Eric — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:01:42 +0000

100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez…I always recommend this one. Say hello to Magical Realism with this book.

America America by Ethan Canin…His writing is beautiful, and it’s great characterization.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro…His style is very minimalist, but the book is so powerful.

The Autumn Issue of the Southern Review out of LSU. It’s got a bit of everything, even some great photography.

and for the sci fi fiends out there:

Joel Shepherd’s Crossover…A great take on the What does it mean to be human question with a kick ass female supersoldier set against a multi-ethnic background.